A Birthday in 2 parts

It's funny, it's not a "friend year" and yet we ended up with all the friends climbing at ROKC. Isn't that what we did last year on our "friend year"?? Ugh. Why am I such a softie? 

It might be because we bought climbing passes last year on Black Friday and they are going to expire. So we might as well go. We gathered the youths and set them free. I tried not to hover. 

I mostly succeeded in being separate and aloof, but, as Anna will bear solemn witness...this group can be a little volatile. Drama is always moments away. 

We did have a few dust ups, but ended on a high note with a game of wiffle ball and some grocery store pizza hot out of the oven. Teenagers are an adventure and everyone knows it. 

The remainder of the birthday celebrations came the day after she turned 14. Ethan and Kassie were in town for Thanksgiving and Mathew was passing through on his way to his new job and apartment in Arkansas.  Having the whole family there is rare!

We started the day with.....Climbing at ROKC! Yes, I bought another round of passes on Black Friday. This time we will use them in a more timely manner, no doubt. We always learn our lessons the first time. 

Everyone but me, Ethan and Kassie went for a climb. Kassie stayed home with a cold, I have the hip of an old grammie, and Ethan blamed his BMI. But we all had fun!

Mathew conquering the practice climbs before heading to the taller ones on the main floor. 

Everly overcomes her fear of heights every singly time we go to ROKC. I think they call that exposure therapy?

Bug climbing in cargo pants!

That's a fine figure of a man 

Megan has gotten in touch with her competitive side this year...she was determined and angry! 

AJ looking the part with her new chalk bag and chalk sock. Very cool. 

We paid to climb, but my favorite part was watching everyone try the grip tester. Mark got the highest, of course, but Mathew and Ethan weren't far behind. We are a competitive bunch! 

And look!! It started snowing while we were climbing! You know what that means....

Bug has got to make the barefoot run!

We snuggled in for some Mario Kart and naps...

We had roast and all the fixings for dinner. AJ didn't choose it. She was adamant that she not select a special dinner because she "just wanted everyone to be there". Which is so lovely. And also leaves me to figure out what to make. We had planned on Poor Man's Burnt Ends, but a lunch trip to KC Joes and an inch of snow made that less of a good idea. We also skipped cake or ice cream because AJ is in the midst of doing 75 hard. So....how about roast? and mashed potatoes and rolls? 

How's that? 

Whatever. It's the presents that matter! 

Original goose art by Bug. 

And her very own guitar!! She's been learning for the last month or two and she's getting really good!

Don't sit down! The day isn't over because tomorrow is December. We DO NOT begin December without the tree. 

And isn't it so darling with the snow??

Darling and cold. And snow gets on your pants and shoes when you try to see if that tree is cute enough to bring home. We are famously fast at choosing our trees. This one was an all time record. 2 minutes flat.  AJ was the lucky picker. 

Aren't we cute?? Now wrap that puppy up and lets get out of this chilly warehouse!

Ornaments will be another day, but we figured we'd get the lights on (twice) and pop up the garland. The LED are, in fact, not warm. They are cold and dead and devoid of Christmas love and magic. Kassie and Megan helped me put them up, rip them down and replace them with the good old incandescents. 

Not a bad birthday, all in all. A bit here and there. Full of family. Jumbled up with Thanksgiving and Christmas and 9 personalities. But we had fun and we celebrated are new 14 year old!

And she will have some Egg Nog ice cream in the morning. It's 75 Hard approved.

I reward myself with a quite moment in the closet. Just me, the space heater and Winnie tucked under my hair. 

Meanwhile...back in KC

Ethan and Kassie got up early to take the "littles" to the WWI museum. 

Megan stayed back and worked on her homemade pizzas....when I tell you she has it down to a science, I really mean it. She is serious about making pizza. 

And we are all the better for it!

I, too, had big plans. December is coming. I need to store up energy and collect inner peace. 

Mathew arrives this morning! He's hopped up on caffeine, pretty wired and pushing through. 

aaaand we have plans to go thrifting! We are searching for various kitchen necessities...is there anything better than going thrifting when you actually need something? So satisfying. 

Who knows? We might find a solid gold Christmas tree!

Travelin Man

 Mathew has packed up his earthly belongings and he is leaving Rexburg. He has a new job with Wachter starting in Arkansas and he will stop over with us for about a week. He is determined to make the 17 hr drive in one shot and my momma heart is pretty sure he's up for it. 

Also. I'm terrified. But that's my default setting. 

Caffeine, Mathew. Caffeine!

Thanksgiving 2024

It's our year to have Ethan and Kassie for Thanksgiving! Next year we get Christmas! 

Mathew won't make it, he's having his last Thanksgiving in Idaho with his best friend, Damian. I'm happy that he's got people there that he will miss and that will miss him. 

We will make our assigned dishes and head over to the Flynns, as we do. 

Winnie is front and center, helping me with ham, rolls and chocolate lasagna. 

She drives me a little batty, but that little warm bird belly on my forehead is pretty adorable, too. And she has an excellent vantage point hanging from my hair.

The Spread

The Friends (Laney is taking the photo)

Aidan's brave debut of his most recently learned chords...I do believe it was the infant stages of The Sweater Song. 

Some high caliber chillin

Kylie, Miranda, and Emma took Laney, AJ and Everly to see Wicked at the movie theater. So we made our way to the basement to watch Fall Guy. It is and will always be one of my favorites.

Silliness! 

We went home full, happy and entertained. It was a perfect day! 

Makeup artist to the stars

Everly was in her first play! 

She did makeup for the lead, Anastasia, and helped with costume changes as the actors transitioned between scenes. I feel like all those dramatic cat-eyes in 3rd grade are really paying off! She's got a steady hand and discerning eye. 

We celebrate with Freddy's!

 

Janitorial

We had an unexpectedly good time cleaning the church building this morning. 

My job was to move the vacuum chord a little with my toe when I thought it was encroaching on Mark's path. 

Crucial.

Vital. 

Indispensable. 

Yellow

This is my favorite. And there are spots where the two trees are touching over head and it is magical.

Holding on for a donut

This year donut night was my reason for living. 5 days before the blessed day, I had a baby heart attack when I thought for a brief moment that we had missed it. 

I don't know. 

Sometimes you just NEED your darling friend to make you fried bread dipped in sugar.

You need it it like you need air

or two pillows 

 

or secret chocolate

or a crying song

or a caffeine stash

Consider me tided over.  

I might make it to Pie Night.